Master of Art in Psychology Program Adds New Specialization: The Psychology of Conflict-Related and Other Trauma

The Psychology of Conflict-Related and Other Trauma Specialization is the Master of Arts in Psychology Program at Antioch University Los Angeles’s fifth specialization, joining; Child Studies, Applied Community Psychology, Spiritual Depth Psychology and LGBT Psychology.The new specialization will prepare students to identify and treat the effects of emotional trauma as a result of catastrophe or conflict while incorporating AULA’s missioncommunity involvement, advocacy and social justice.

The name of the specialization, the Psychology of Conflict-Related and Other Trauma, may be lengthy, but it is necessary to address the complexities and the psychology behind trauma. Two sub-specializations are also offered; a military track and a civilian track. The sub-specializations prepare students interested in learning more about trauma as a result of conflict and war and the causes and treatments of trauma in the general population. 

Daniel E. Bruzzone, Psy.D.,who was instrumental in the development of the specialization and is currently lead faculty for it, has a unique background which makes him the ideal leader of the program. Not only is he a trained clinical psychologist, but he also spent 23 years in military service before retiring as a Major with the California State Military Reserve.

“In my work I have found that the suffering of emotional trauma pervades our clinical population and its symptoms are often misinterpreted leading to the possibility of misdiagnoses and failures in treatment,” says Bruzzone.  “The clinical skills that our specialization students learn make it more likely that they will be able to correctly identify the source of emotional suffering in their patients in order to provide them with proper, and successful, treatment. 

The Psychology of Conflict-Related and Other Trauma Specialization includes special core courses, electives courses, workshops, community events and clinical skills training. A sampling of core courses includes; Effects of Trauma on Human Development and Neurobiology, Social History and Current Issues; Treatment of Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; and Self-Care Issues for Mental Health Professionals.

Students are encouraged to contextualize and treat those suffering the effects of trauma in a systemic, ecological and socially responsible manner. They will maximize contact with familial and community resources to provide advocacy and a holistic approach to symptom reduction.

Successful completion of the specialization includes field clinical experience in an agency setting providing trauma-related mental health services to the civilian and/or military community. The Conflict-Related and Other Trauma Specialization is an 84-unit, 7-quarter clinical program. Classes are scheduled on weekdays, weekday evenings and Saturdays. Typically students complete the program while working and fulfilling family responsibilities.